Michael Porter Jr. "ready to go" for SEC Tournament, will come off the bench

by Greg Dailey

Michael Porter, Jr. at Mizzou Madness (KRCG 13)

ST. LOUIS —

Two minutes is too short for a college career. Fortunately for Mizzou fans, Michael Porter Jr. will play a few more.

Head coach Cuonzo Martin said Wednesday the star freshman is ready to play and will come off the bench for Missouri in the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

Porter played just two minutes in the season's opening win against Iowa State, citing a tweaked hip. Not even two weeks later, Mizzou Basketball announced Porter, Jr. was likely out for the year and would need a microdiscectomy of the L3-L4 spinal discs.

The freshman had teased on social media the recovery time estimate of 3-4 months was not accurate, but it was not until Feb. 22, nearly three and a half months after his procedure, that he was officially cleared for basketball activities.

After practicing with the team before the final three games of the regular season, Martin said his prized recruit would play in St. Louis.

The Tigers will play the winner of Georgia and Vanderbilt Thursday at 2 p.m.